Quercus dentata

Quercus dentata

emperor oak

Planted in 1925

Source:  Yokohama Nursery

This oak is native to China, Japan and Korea. The daimyo were powerful feudal rulers in Japan, from the 10th to mid-19th centuries. This species boasts the largest leaves among the oaks, with leaves that can measure a foot long (30 cm) and seven inches wide (18 cm). Even though it can grow to be a very large tree, the Japanese use the tree for bonsai. Each May, in celebration of Children’s Day, the Japanese serve a special sweet called kashiwa mochi (sticky rice cakes filled with red bean jam) wrapped in the large oak leaves. The acorns are used in Korean cuisine. One example is dotorimuk, a jelly made from acorn starch.